Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso will look to the heavens for help stopping Zinedine Zidane in Sunday's World Cup final.

The tenacious Gattuso will try to limit the contribution of the veteran playmaker who will bring his legendary career to an end following the Berlin showpiece.

The 34-year-old has rolled back the years in his final tournament, really coming to the fore in the knockout stage matches against Spain, Brazil and Portugal.

"You simply don't stop Zidane," said Gattuso. "He is one of the strongest players - when he has the ball you have to do the sign of the cross and hope he misses."

Zidane has been among nine players shortlisted to win the award for player of the tournament and, should he win it, it will come as no surprise to Gattuso.

"He is the type of player that when he is 100% he doesn't let you see the ball," Gattuso said.

"With him, it's just a case of magic, now you see the ball and now you don't.

"He is a player that is good for the game, it's worth paying money to watch him play."

However, Gattuso hopes the long tournament will have taken its toll on the ageing Zidane by the time the teams square off on Sunday.

"He is 34 and has played almost every game in this tournament at the highest level," Gattuso said.

"I just hope he doesn't have much energy left for the final."

Despite Zidane being considered the main threat to the Azzurri, they will not alter their style of play.

Contrary to expectations, Italy have played an attractive style football in Germany in addition to also maintaining their traditional defensive strength.

Marcello Lippi's side have struck 11 goals and have only conceded once, an own goal by Andrea Barzagli in their second group game against United States.

"For a long time, Italian football has been linked to the 'catenaccio' [defensive style football]," Gattuso said.

"But things have changed and it's no longer the case that we focus on just defending and marking players one-on-one.

"If Zidane happens to play in my zone, then I will pick him up. If not, Andrea Pirlo will."

Gattuso believes France will start as favourites but insists his team will make life difficult for Raymond Domenech's men.

"France have players that have won the World Cup and European championship," Gattuso said.

"I think they will have less pressure because of this.

"But the game has to be played and we know we face great quality players.

"It's going to be an open battle and I think there will be mutual respect from both sides."

A triumph on Sunday will allow Gattuso to forget the disappointments of recent seasons.

Milan's shock defeat to Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final was a bitter blow for Gattuso as is the current crisis in which his club are involved regarding the match-fixing scandal.

"After the Champions League final, I spent a month on holiday," he said.

"Each day I revived the memory of what happened in Istanbul.

"A club team-mate told me I should stop remembering because what would happen to me if I lost the final of a World Cup!"

It's clear failure is not an option for Gattuso.

"This is the most important game of my life," he said.

"I never thought I would get this chance and I can't wait to play it.

"It's not nice to have to play the waiting game, I find that difficult.

"I am constantly looking at my watch and training hard but 5am to go to work so I cannot complain.

"I have played in Champions League finals but this is something else - we have a chance to make history."

Gattuso was only four years old when Italy last won the World Cup in 1982.

"I can only remember my dad carrying me in his shoulders during the celebrations," he said.

"I don't remember watching the game but I know my dad did."

Much has changed since then, with Gattuso having made a name for himself at Rangers before becoming a regular at Milan.

"I have matured a lot and I am able to do what I wanted to do without having that fear I had before," he said.